The Wooden Sword: A Jewish Folktale from Afghanistan

Disguised in servant's clothes, an Afghani shah slips out of his palace to learn more about his people. When he encounters a poor Jewish shoemaker full of faith that everything will turn out just as it should, the shah grows curious. Vowing that no harm will befall the poor man, he decides to test that faith, only to find that the shoemaker's cheerful optimism cannot be shDisguised in servant's clothes, an Afghani shah slips out of his palace to learn more about his people. When he encounters a poor Jewish shoemaker full of faith that everything will turn out just as it should, the shah grows curious. Vowing that no harm will befall the poor man, he decides to test that faith, only to find that the shoemaker's cheerful optimism cannot be shaken. But the biggest challenge of the poor man's life is yet to come! Ann Stampler's retelling of this classic Afghani Jewish folktale is enriched by Carol Liddiment's charming and vivid paintings....more

Community Reviews

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, the illustrations are nice, and this is a good example of that tradition Kurt Vonnegut talks about (which Americans don't have) of honoring the poor wise man. On the other hand, I couldn't help being irritated by the glorification of poverty and the poor man's Candide-esque assertions that it didn't matter whether he had enough money to buy food, because his faith would get him through. (And of course, when his wife is concerned about how they wI have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, the illustrations are nice, and this is a good example of that tradition Kurt Vonnegut talks about (which Americans don't have) of honoring the poor wise man. On the other hand, I couldn't help being irritated by the glorification of poverty and the poor man's Candide-esque assertions that it didn't matter whether he had enough money to buy food, because his faith would get him through. (And of course, when his wife is concerned about how they will keep from starving, the implication is that she is not as faithful as he is.)

"Can a man earn his keep carrying water to sell?" the man asks when his livelihood is taken away from him. "If he has strong hands, he can," is the answer. All right—what about someone who doesn't have strong hands? "Can someone earn his keep gathering wood?" he asks when the water-carrying is taken away from him. "If he has busy hands and a strong back, he can," is the answer. So what about someone who doesn't have a strong back? These scenes are meant to show that the man has a good work ethic, but the fact that he is privileged enough to be physically capable of such hard work—or, frankly, the fact that he's a man, since I'm sure his wife wouldn't be able to go out and provide for herself that way—is not being acknowledged.

I had the same problem with The Merchant and the Thief. I get that these stories are supposed to have positive messages about faith and resourcefulness, but there are underlying messages here that make light of real, life-threatening world problems, and that bothers me....more

This folktale from Afghanistan is a welcome addition to the folktale section. Of special remark is the last page in which the author documents her sources and the way in which this version was vetted for authenticity. This page could be very useful as an example about how it should be done. This is one I'll add to my purchase list.

The illustrations are rich with detail and the story flows nicely; between the shah's actions and the shoemaker's attitude there is lots to talk about here. PLUS it's well-researched, and sourced & cited thoroughly.

The shah discovers a very happy couple living in the poorest house in Kabul. He decides to test the poor man's faith in God by preventing him from earning a living. Each time, the poor man finds a way to buy dinner. Finally, his prayer to his God at a critical moment convinces the shah that he is genuinely faithful. He makes the poor man a royal adviser because of his wisdom.

This book would be appropriate to share as a read aloud with children between four and six years old. Children that enjoyThe shah discovers a very happy couple living in the poorest house in Kabul. He decides to test the poor man's faith in God by preventing him from earning a living. Each time, the poor man finds a way to buy dinner. Finally, his prayer to his God at a critical moment convinces the shah that he is genuinely faithful. He makes the poor man a royal adviser because of his wisdom.

This book would be appropriate to share as a read aloud with children between four and six years old. Children that enjoy folktales, stories with a strong theme and stories about different countries and cultures may enjoy this book. It would be appropriate to help children discuss theme and develop narrative retelling skills....more

This folktale is based on a traditional idea that a poor man is thankful for what he has and does not yearn for more. A "good shah" takes to the streets of the common people and passes by the house of a poor man and his wife. He is amazed to see them laughing and smiling and stops in to ask them what they have to be happy for. Not believing that the man can be happy despite his lack of possessions, he returns to the castle and creates various laws that limit the man's job choices, to test the maThis folktale is based on a traditional idea that a poor man is thankful for what he has and does not yearn for more. A "good shah" takes to the streets of the common people and passes by the house of a poor man and his wife. He is amazed to see them laughing and smiling and stops in to ask them what they have to be happy for. Not believing that the man can be happy despite his lack of possessions, he returns to the castle and creates various laws that limit the man's job choices, to test the man's faith and limit his earning powers. Through various tasks, the man still finds a way to provide for his family without complaining about his situation. The tale ends where the man is tasked to perform an act of murder. After he prays he finds a way to outsmart the guard and not kill the man.

Possible classroom connections: Students could find alternative versions of this tale and compare it to this version. Students can focus on theme and messages. Students can also compare and contrast the characters. Students could write from the perspective of one of the other characters in the story. ...more

Each of the aspects of this picturebook that stood out for me were also ones that Stampler mentions in her author's note! First, both negative characters (the bullying shah and the whining peasant) from some versions of this folktale have become positive ones (a change that's best, if paradoxically, appreciated by readers who know these versions). Second, although the peasant attributes his successes to a deity, his real rescuer is a combination of his own thoughts and actions and the circumstanEach of the aspects of this picturebook that stood out for me were also ones that Stampler mentions in her author's note! First, both negative characters (the bullying shah and the whining peasant) from some versions of this folktale have become positive ones (a change that's best, if paradoxically, appreciated by readers who know these versions). Second, although the peasant attributes his successes to a deity, his real rescuer is a combination of his own thoughts and actions and the circumstances he finds himself in . . . no deity required. Third, the peasant's religion (and, as I think back on it, the shah's too) are only hinted at - both in the words and the pictures - never explicitly stated.

Nice to see a positive portrayal of Afghanistan in children's lit, too....more

This folktale is a story of one man’s faith in God to overcome all. His faith is witnessed by a Afghani shah who devises a series of tests and trials determine if his faith is true. Illustrated in warm bright colored pencil drawings that not only add accurate cultural aspects but serve to keep the mood light, for a heavy topic. Excellent book for displays of different religions and cultures, not for story time.

This Jewish folktale is a wonderful retelling by Ann Redisch Stampler, that presents issues of faith and bullying in a bright and colorful way. I especially liked the artwork; the acrylics on the pages make the story pop out. She uses beautiful and vibrant colors. It's nice to see Afghan tradition in children's literature.

This is a Jewish folktale from Afghanistan. With fun, brightly colored illustrations, it tells the story of a poor Jewish shoemaker. An Afghani shah tries to test the poor man's faith, but every time things turn out as they should. Back matter includes a lengthy author's note.

This book was read for Wesley’s summer reading club. Wesley is my (soon to be five year old) son. This review is what we used for his reading club. ***

This was an interesting story. It was a bit long for Wesley's attention span (he wanted to go play on the computer). This book was read for Wesley’s summer reading club. Wesley is my (soon to be five year old) son. This review is what we used for his reading club. ***

This was an interesting story. It was a bit long for Wesley's attention span (he wanted to go play on the computer). ...more

Where it Began marks the YA debut of Ann Redisch Stampler. She is the author of several picture books, including The Rooster Prince of Breslov. Her books have been an Aesop Accolade winner, Sydney Taylor notable books and an honor book, a National Jewish Book Awards finalist and winner, and Bank Street Best Books of the Year. Ann has two adult children and lives in Los Angeles, California with herWhere it Began marks the YA debut of Ann Redisch Stampler. She is the author of several picture books, including The Rooster Prince of Breslov. Her books have been an Aesop Accolade winner, Sydney Taylor notable books and an honor book, a National Jewish Book Awards finalist and winner, and Bank Street Best Books of the Year. Ann has two adult children and lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband. ...more